Reports of bugging of FM's office serious issue: BJP

BJP on Tuesday said the reported case of bugging of the office of finance minister Pranab Mukherjee was a "serious" issue, especially as it has occurred at a time when several high-profile cases of financial scams have come to light.

BJP on Tuesday said the reported case of bugging of the office of finance minister Pranab Mukherjee was a "serious" issue, especially as it has occurred at a time when several high-profile cases of financial scams have come to light.

"It is a serious matter. If what has come to light is true then it needs to be investigated. This has come at a time when there are so many cases of financial irregularities and scams," BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

He wondered as to who could be behind such an act and alluded to somebody in government having an interest in bugging the finance minister's office.

"Pranab Mukherjee is no. 2 in the Cabinet. Who is bugging its own ministers. It needs to be investigated. This raises a lot of disturbing questions," Naqvi said.

In reply to another question on differences between the government panel- headed by Mukherjee- and civil society members of the joint drafting committee on lokpal bill, Naqvi said, "This has become a war of words between those who want a lokpal bill and the others who are for a Jokepal."

He maintained that BJP will take a call on the proposed all-party meeting on lokpal when it receives an invitation from the government.

"We are against corruption and want that strong steps are taken to end it," Naqvi said.